Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback evaluation: Massive however thrilling

That is the newest version of the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback, which I’ve been eager to drive after testing previous e-tron variants. Now, I’m usually a fan of small and nimble EVs and the Q8 is much from being compact. Nevertheless, when you’re out there for a large and beefy all-electric SUV, and the BMW iX or Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV version aren’t tempting, Audi’s newest is price contemplating.

It is also price remembering that Audi affords the Q8 e-tron in two totally different flavors. I like the marginally extra sloping and subsequently extra slinky Sportback, but when favor a extra upright journey, I’d go after the usual mannequin. Both means, this can be a large automotive, with plenty of room inside for passengers and a trunk that may simply carry loads. Admittedly, in comparison with a few of the best electric cars, the Q8 e-tron is just not visually gorgeous, but it surely’s additionally onerous to overlook on the freeway.

Being an Audi, it’s additionally protected to say that the efficiency matches the purposeful seems. There’s luxurious too, which is hardly shocking provided that this can be a premium automotive. Add to that loads of know-how and a construct high quality that’s every part I’d count on from this automaker. Let’s dig deeper and see the way it fares, lets?

Really helpful

Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback

Now that Audi has rounded out its vary of all-electric fashions, the Q8 e-tron Sportback sits within the portfolio very properly certainly. It is large, cumbersome and a little bit of a handful in tight spots and works to finest impact on lengthy freeway treks. There’s a premium really feel to the inside, with spectacular ranges of tech when you head for the choice pack. Outdoors, it’s a bit of bit humdrum, although in the best shade that slanting coupe-esque roofline turns the Q8 e-tron Sportback into correct successful story.

Professionals

• Easy freeway driving
• Plenty of house for members of the family and baggage
• Acquainted Audi infotainment system and controls

Cons

• Massive and ponderous however nice for highways
• Heavy and inefficient
• Upright, non-coupe model extra sensible

Specs, pricing and availability

The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback seen here’s a full-on premium package deal. Because of this, it comes with an costly price ticket, which for the UK is £95,130 (simply over $120,000). Simply 5 grand shy of the £100,000 mark makes it appear costly, however for automobiles of this dimension and ilk, that is not as loopy as it would sound. My check automotive is dubbed the Black Version, but it surely was really completed in a shade Audi calls Magnet Grey. I must also level out that the asking worth contains the price of a Expertise Pack Professional choice, which is available in at a whopping £5,995 (round $7,500).

Design and Construct

Probably not a headturner but it surely works

If I’m spending almost £100k, I prefer to suppose I’m getting a car that makes a press release. I’m not into flashy automobiles as such, preferring one thing extra low key. So in that respect, the 2024 Q8 e-tron Sportback does the trick because it’s actually not brash. Positive, it’s large and daring, however there’s nothing concerning the exterior that makes it a headturner. In that respect, when you love an SUV and crave consideration, then this Audi might be not for you. It isn’t that a lot of a method assertion.

The sober seems are exacerbated by the grey paint end, which may be very of the second, but it surely does are likely to make this large Audi fade into the background a bit. I discovered this to undoubtedly be the case after I returned from a flight and had hassle finding the automotive amongst a sea of different grey tin within the car parking zone of an airport. Possibly a extra scorching shade would deliver the automotive to life a bit of, however on this guise, I believe it’s a bit of bit pedestrian within the seems division.

I used to be grateful for the massive 265/45 tires on 21-inch shiny again Audi Sport alloys, nonetheless. The truth is, squeezing the automotive by way of a ticket barrier on the airport didn’t afford a lot house between curb and wheels. Fortunately although, a number of rubber sidewall meant there was no fear about scuffing these shiny alloys. The 4 chunks of rubber at every nook additionally means the automotive sits on the street purposefully and handles lumps and bumps with aplomb too. Something decrease profile would in all probability present the alternative impact.

The inside lowdown

Consolation and high quality in equal measure

I believe the inside of the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback is certainly one of its highpoints, and it actually instructions extra consideration than the outside. In the event you’re fortunate sufficient to be the driving force, then the setup affords a commanding view of each the street forward in addition to the controls within the cockpit space. This being a top-of-the-range mannequin, I didn’t really feel like there was something lacking, and the consolation ranges have been as premium as anticipated.

I can’t actually fault the consolation ranges in any of the seating areas both, and the Q8 e-tron Sportback is simply as good to be in when you’re within the again as it’s within the entrance. In fact, there’s a bit of extra management over seat settings on the entrance, with an all-electric choice on provide that allowed me to tweak and fine-tune the driving place to my necessities.

The one factor that I did discover mildly irritating was the piano black plastic finishes that dominate throughout the sprint space and down beneath the infotainment part. The reason being that I discovered these surfaces to be actually reflective in sturdy daylight and regularly bought glare again from the pristine finishes. It seems nice however, similar to most different shiny plastic surfaces, there’s additionally the tendency to point out up mud and fingermarks far more simply than different much less shiny supplies. However, Audi has finished a wonderful job at balancing out the mix of inside finishes and, total, I believe it really works effectively.

The know-how breakdown

An infotainment system that matches the invoice

As I discussed earlier, this the Q8 e-tron Sportback Black Version automotive turned up fitted with almost six grand price of additional tech. That is referred to as the Expertise Pack Professional bundle, and it provides me every part I would like behind the wheel and extra in addition to. I’m not so certain that the present Audi infotainment system and its management interface is sort of nearly as good as the newest setup present in Mercedes-Benz EVs, however equally, every part works because it ought to.

That mentioned, I didn’t discover the voice controls nearly as good as these within the present vary of Mercs both, however in any other case, Audi has factor occurring, and it’ll be acquainted to anybody who’s been behind the wheel of different fashions within the vary. I haven’t pushed this automotive with out the Expertise Pack Professional choice and could be eager to understand how totally different the automotive appears minus all of the bells and whistles. Like something, this feature must be explored at leisure so as to get the very best from it, though I’m nonetheless unsure it’s price almost six thousand. I’m a cheapskate although.

Battery, vary, and efficiency

Good vary however might be extra environment friendly

Out on the open street, the Q8 e-tron Sportback makes complete sense. It’ll get on down the freeway rapidly sufficient, though not that effectively, with round 3 miles per kWh displaying on my sprint more often than not. It is a large and heavy SUV although, so it’s not shocking. I’m glad I had the back-up of a decent-sized 114kW battery pack, which managed to get me each to and from the airport with no need to cease for a cost.

That was an over 200-mile spherical journey and I did get to my house charger with simply six miles left, however nonetheless, that is nice for these occasions after I simply wish to get house. Plugging within the beast at house, the Audi knowledgeable me it was going to take 16 hours to get to a full cost on a 7kW unit. Plug it right into a industrial charger as much as 170kW although, and it’s attainable to count on a reasonably higher 10% to 80% cost in only a tad over half-hour.

Verdict

The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback in its Black Version variant is a monster of a machine that appears a bit of sleeker than its extra upright variant. I like loads about it. There’s loads of nice efficiency on faucet, though each time I drove it enthusiastically it did make me a bit of nervous about vary on longer runs, though it’s bought a beefy 114kW battery pack. It’s not essentially the most environment friendly of automobiles, however it will actually be on my checklist if I wanted a premium all-electric SUV for normal freeway treks. Anybody who craves consolation, a bit of little bit of luxurious and excessive ranges of tech will discover it equally interesting.

Really helpful

Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback

Engine

Twin electrical motors powered by Lithium-ion battery

Drive Format

4-wheel drive

Horsepower

300 kW / 402 hp

0-60mph

5.4 seconds

Torque

664 Nm

Prime Pace

124 mph

Increase